Research

Our Research and Development Team supports clinical research at Livewell Southwest. Clinical research enables healthcare to develop and test new treatments to ensure we are delivering the best quality care to people who use our services. It is our aim at Livewell Southwest to develop as a research active organisation so that we will be able to offer the opportunity to participate in research to all.

The studies carried out at Livewell Southwest may look at the following:

Trialling new medications

Seeking to improve the way we deliver services

Changing the way people take medications

Introducing new services

Currently we are carrying out studies in the following areas:

Pressure ulcers

Speech difficulties following stroke

Dementia

Multiple Sclerosis

Peri-natal Mental Health

Parkinson’s Disease

Timing for blood pressure medication

Autism and Learning Disabilities

Research update – Interim results for adult autism study

This project is about engaging adults on the autism spectrum and their relatives in research.

At least 1% of adults are on the autism spectrum. However, very little research has been undertaken into the life experiences of adults and older people on the autism spectrum, and how these can be improved.

To address this significant research gap, in January 2015, Adult Autism Spectrum began a research programme about the life experiences of adults on the autism spectrum and their relatives/carers. This project is being led by Newcastle University researchers, and funded by the research charity Autistica. Read more.

Research Update

Back in 2014, the National Institute for Health Research and the Economic and Social Research Council awarded a team of researchers from over 13 organisations funding to start the IDEAL study which set out to explore the experiences of people affected by dementia and to find out what helps them to ‘live well’.

Participating in research – get involved!

Most people using our services find participating in research an extremely positive experience, due to the enhanced treatment they receive and the opportunity to contribute to the development of improved treatments for all. If you are interested in taking part in research, please speak to your clinician. NHS Choices also has further information on research which is available here

If you are at the Mount Gould Hospital site do come along and meet us. Please ask for the Research Team at the Main Reception in the Local Care Centre.